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As difficult as it is to pick sides in the NHL lockout, it’s also a challenge to decide which side feels more resentment 83 days into the mess.

Feelings are raw among the players, though most in attendance at meetings this week chose their words carefully in front of the hockey media.

On social media, that hasn’t been the case. For an example, Florida Panthers forward Scottie Upshall’s twitter feed (@Scottieupshall). On Friday, Upshall tweeted a picture of himself working out with the following: “Getting ready for a season in the gym and on the ice ... What are the owners doing?”

Earlier in the day, Upshall made reference to Detroit Red Wings’ vice-president Jimmy Develano’s comments early in the lockout in which he referred to NHL players as “cattle” and was subsequently fined $250,000 for his indiscretion.

“There’s no pressure yet on the owners to lose this year, that’s why they still treat us like Cattle,” Upshall tweeted. “They’ll need a partner come January.

“Plain and simple these owners think they can break us apart. GOOD LUCK! We r stronger than we’ve ever been and r behind Fehr 100%.”

Though players are free to say what they want about the talks, those who have been involved in the negotiations are trying to play nice publicly. And according to one, free agent Chris Campoli, the union’s resolve remains strong.

“In my seven years in this organization, I’ve never seen us so unified,” Campoli said. “We believe in our leadership.”

As Advertised in the Edmonton SUN

The NHL's 'Cattle' are unified

As difficult as it is to pick sides in the NHL lockout, it’s also a challenge to decide which side feels more resentment 83 days into the mess.

Feelings are raw among the players, though most in attendance at meetings this week chose their words carefully in front of the hockey media.

On social media, that hasn’t been the case. For an example, Florida Panthers forward Scottie Upshall’s twitter feed (@Scottieupshall). On Friday, Upshall tweeted a picture of himself working out with the following: “Getting ready for a season in the gym and on the ice ... What are the owners doing?”